We were supposed to meet today to finalize the divorce.
Kehlani Lawrence was a bundle of nerves, pacing back and forth. It was already 11 AM, a whole hour past the scheduled time. She fished out her phone and hit the familiar number. The line clicked open immediately, and she practically blurted, "Ezrah, I'm waiting. When are you gonna get here?"
Instead of his voice, his assistant's came through, strained. "Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence has been in a car accident. He's at the hospital."
Kehlani's blood ran cold. "What? Which hospital? I'm on my way."
Twenty minutes later, she burst through the hospital doors, worry gnawing at her insides. Ezrah Lawrence had already been moved from the OR to a recovery room. Following the directions Yael Bishop had given her, she navigated to the room number. Before she could even touch the door, it flew open from inside.
Standing there was a woman in her fifties, elegant but seething—her mother-in-law, Laylah Ortiz. The woman glared at Kehlani like she was an intruder and immediately launched into a tirade. "Kehlani! How dare you show your face here? Who gave you the nerve?"
Her outburst drew Aviana Holmes out from the room, who was all too ready to pile on. "Kehlani, are you happy now? The doctor said Ezrah might never wake up. He could be in a coma. And if he hadn't been on his way to meet *you* , this wouldn't have happened!"
For context, Aviana was Laylah's handpicked choice for her son's future—the girl next door who'd known Ezrah since childhood and was deemed his perfect match. Last month, a career-ending ankle injury had forced her to abandon ballet and come home, leaving her dreams behind.
Laylah's fury boiled over. She lunged at Kehlani, hand raised to slap her. But Kehlani wasn't having it. She snatched Laylah's wrist mid-air, her grip fierce despite the emotions churning inside her.
"I wasn't the one who crashed the car, Ms. Ortiz. Don't you dare pin this on me," Kehlani said, her voice steady as she released Laylah, who stumbled back and was caught by Aviana.
Laylah stared at her, disbelief etched on her face. "After everything this family has done for you, this is how you treat me?"
Aviana seized the moment. "Kehlani, have you lost your damn mind? You really think you can talk to me like that? Aren't you scared Ezrah will find out?"
Kehlani's concern for Ezrah was real, but so was her contempt for the two women in front of her. Face pale, brows knit tight, she shot back, "Ms. Holmes, Ezrah and I have already signed the divorce papers. And guess who printed them out? Ms. Ortiz here. If not for Ezrah's accident, we'd be finalizing everything today. So, as far as I'm concerned, Ms. Ortiz is just a stranger now. And I'm not afraid of Ezrah finding out. I was defending myself—what exactly did I do wrong?"
Three years of marriage. If not for her all-consuming love for Ezrah Lawrence, she would never have endured the thankless, brutal life his family thrust upon her. Sure, she'd schemed to marry him, but three years had worn that affection down to nothing, especially with Aviana's return—the final nail in the coffin.
She knew Ezrah didn't love her. Three years hadn't thawed that icy heart of his one bit. Now, it was finally over. She no longer needed to warm a man who belonged to someone else, and she sure as hell didn't have to stomach Laylah's constant criticism anymore.
Laylah's eyes bulged with rage, her hand trembling as she pointed at Kehlani. "You called me a stranger? Kehlani, you've ruined my son, and you have the gall to speak to me like that?"
Her expression was venomous, like she wanted to tear Kehlani apart. In the past, Kehlani wouldn't have dared talk back, but things were different now. She no longer craved Ezrah, and there was no reason to live under this woman's thumb.
Kehlani's eyes, usually cold and detached, now blazed with something sharp and unyielding. "Who's really responsible for Ezrah's condition? You're the one who pushed for this divorce. If the crash happened because of it, then the blame falls squarely on you."
Her voice was soft, but every word cut like glass. Laylah had never seen this side of her. She'd always assumed her daughter-in-law was a doormat—easy to walk all over.
Laylah was staggered, reeling from the blow. "You... you sharp-tongued witch. Ezrah must've been blind to marry you. A curse on this family—that's what you are."
Kehlani steadied herself, tuning out Laylah's ranting. Instinctively, she tried to catch a glimpse of Ezrah through the half-open door. Aviana noticed and blocked her way, declaring, "Get out. You're not welcome here. Ezrah wouldn't want to see you."
Kehlani let out a cold laugh. "If anyone should leave, it's you. What are you even doing here anyway?"
She was Ezrah's childhood friend, not Kehlani's. So why should Kehlani put up with her?
"Kehlani, have you gone mad?! First you insult me, now Aviana. Where do you get the nerve?" Laylah fumed.
Kehlani stepped forward, grabbed Laylah by the collar, and slammed her against the wall, silencing both women in an instant.
"Before, I was weak—that's the only reason I tolerated a witch of a mother-in-law and a backstabbing snake like her. But now—" Kehlani's voice dropped to ice. "I'm in my right mind. And if you ever provoke me again, don't blame me for what comes next."
Just as she finished, Yael emerged from the room, a flicker of relief and odd joy in her eyes. "Mr. Lawrence is awake. Would you like to come in?"
Hearing that, the truth hit Kehlani instantly. The whole coma scare was just another one of Laylah and Aviana's schemes to guilt-trip her. For three years, she'd been an easy target for their bullying.
The realization only hardened her resolve to get that divorce certificate—no more delays. She shot both women a frozen glare and said, "You two missed your calling as actresses with that performance."
Then she brushed past them and strode into the room, determined to talk to Ezrah about finalizing the divorce.
Laylah stood there, stunned by Kehlani's new attitude, her bitterness swelling. "Aviana, look at her. She used to act all sweet and obedient, but now she's completely out of control!"
Aviana gently comforted her, "Ms. Ortiz, please don't upset yourself. Now we've seen Kehlani's true colors. Don't worry—I'm here. I'll never leave Ezrah's side. I'll take good care of him."
Laylah was deeply moved. "Thank God for you. I don't know how I'd manage otherwise."
Inside the room, Kehlani took in the sight of Ezrah sitting there, looking utterly worn out. She'd never seen him like this—probably because she was so used to his commanding presence. The contrast was jarring.
A bitter smile touched her lips. She'd never imagined herself getting divorced, but reality had forced her hand. Maybe marrying Ezrah had been a mistake from the very start.
She spoke slowly, "Ezrah, when are we gonna finalize the divorce?"
